If you’re looking for a vibrant, sweet, and tangy treat to brighten up your holiday table or potluck spread, this Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe is absolutely the way to go. I absolutely love how it balances fruity flavors with a light, refreshing texture, and I’m pretty sure once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again. Trust me, this is not your average jello salad—it’s packed with zesty brightness, making it a fan-freaking-tastic crowd-pleaser you’ll want in your recipe box.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find canned goods that make assembly a breeze.
Bursting with Flavor: The combination of cranberry, pineapple, and fresh citrus zest delivers a delightful zing.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill it in advance, freeing you up on the day of your party or meal.
Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: It fits in beautifully with holiday dinners, potlucks, or casual get-togethers.

A clear glass bowl filled with one thick, smooth layer of bright red cranberry sauce with bits of fruit texture. On top, there is a dollop of white whipped cream, soft and fluffy, garnished with five fresh cranberries and a small green sprig, arranged at the center. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a silver spoon resting inside the bowl on the right. Around the bowl, there are scattered fresh cranberries, a few orange slices at the bottom right, some green rosemary sprigs at the top right, and a bowl of cranberries at the top left. A rust-colored cloth with frayed edges is partially visible on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Jello Salad, Cranberry Jello Salad recipe, Easy Cranberry Jello Salad, Holiday Cranberry Salad, Fruit Jello Salad

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients work together perfectly to give that classic sweet-tart jello salad taste, with little bursts of texture and freshness your taste buds will thank you for. Picking quality canned cranberry sauce and ripe citrus will really elevate the final taste.

Flat lay of two small white bowls holding deep red cranberry flavored gelatin powder, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with whole fresh cranberries, a small white bowl of crushed pineapple with golden juicy pieces, a few bright orange peels arranged neatly, several fresh lemon peels beside them, all laid out in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cranberry Jello Salad, Cranberry Jello Salad recipe, Easy Cranberry Jello Salad, Holiday Cranberry Salad, Fruit Jello Salad

Cranberry flavored gelatin: This is your jiggly base and the star flavor, so choose a good brand you trust.
Boiling water: Needed to dissolve the gelatin completely for a smooth texture.
Cranberry sauce, whole berry: Adds natural sweetness and those delightful bursts of berries throughout.
Crushed pineapple, not drained: Brings a juicy sweetness and a nice contrast to the cranberries.
Orange zest: This adds fresh citrus aroma and cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
Lemon zest: Just a touch for a tangy brightness and complexity.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe depending on the season or event. Feel free to tweak it to suit your taste or what you have on hand—there’s lots of room for customization!

Add nuts or marshmallows: I once added chopped pecans and mini marshmallows for extra texture, and my family went crazy for it.
Use fresh cranberries: For a tart punch, I’ve swapped canned sauce for fresh cranberries cooked down with sugar to create a homemade version.
Dairy twist: Some folks like folding in whipped topping or sour cream to make a creamier version—give it a try if you want a richer texture.
Make it sugar-free: Use a sugar-free jello mix and no-sugar-added canned pineapple for a healthier choice that still tastes great.

How to Make Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

Step 1: Dissolve the Jello

The first and crucial step is dissolving those two packages of cranberry gelatin in 1 ½ cups of boiling water. I use a large mixing bowl for this and stir vigorously for a few minutes. Sometimes I peek at the bottom to make sure there are no pesky granules left. If you skip this, your salad might end up grainy, which is no fun!

Step 2: Stir in the Fruit and Zest

Once your gelatin is fully dissolved, gently stir in the whole berry cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple (juice and all), and the citrus zest. The zest makes such a difference–I discovered this trick when I first tried adding fresh zest rather than just relying on canned flavors. It gives this salad that gourmet, fresh-from-the-farm taste.

Step 3: Chill Until Set

Pour everything into your serving dish, cover with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge. You need to chill it for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best if you can wait. You’ll find that everything sets beautifully, and the flavors meld into something truly special.

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

Zest Freshness: Always zest your oranges and lemons fresh just before mixing; it keeps the salad bright and aromatic.
Don’t Drain the Pineapple: Using the pineapple with its juice adds natural sweetness and moisture, preventing the salad from drying out.
Use a Wide Bowl: Dissolving gelatin in a wider bowl allows for quicker, more even mixing and cooling.
Keep it Covered: Covering the salad while chilling avoids absorbing fridge odors and keeps the surface smooth.

How to Serve Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

In this image, there is a clear glass bowl filled with a deep red, chunky sauce that looks thick and textured. On top of the sauce is a large dollop of white whipped cream with a smooth, fluffy texture. Three whole, shiny cranberries are placed on the whipped cream along with a small sprig of green rosemary and some fine orange zest strands adding contrast. A silver spoon rests on the edge of the bowl, scooping some of the red sauce. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and around it are scattered fresh red cranberries, green rosemary sprigs, and bright orange slices. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Jello Salad, Cranberry Jello Salad recipe, Easy Cranberry Jello Salad, Holiday Cranberry Salad, Fruit Jello Salad

Garnishes

I like topping this salad with a few freshly picked mint leaves or extra orange zest to add visual appeal and a pop of freshness. Sometimes, a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped pecans on top gives it an indulgent finish that everyone loves.

Side Dishes

This jello salad pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham, making it a welcome addition to holiday meals. I’ve also served it alongside simple sandwiches or cold cuts at casual gatherings, where it provides a refreshing contrast to savory dishes.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, I’ve molded this salad into individual mini silicone bundt molds and garnished each with a cranberry and sprig of rosemary. It instantly elevates the presentation and is a real conversation starter at the table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cranberry jello salad stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I’ve found that it keeps its texture well, though the fruit may release a bit of juice—just give it a gentle stir before serving again.

Freezing

Freezing jello salad isn’t ideal; the texture can become watery or grainy once thawed. I usually avoid freezing this recipe to keep its fresh, fruity texture intact.

Reheating

This salad is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. If it’s been in the fridge a while, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for better flavor.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of gelatin in this cranberry jello salad recipe?

While cranberry gelatin gives the perfect tangy-sweet flavor, you can experiment with other berry-flavored gelatin mixes like raspberry or cherry. Just keep in mind that the overall flavor will change, so it might not have the classic cranberry punch.
How long does this cranberry jello salad keep in the fridge?

It stays fresh and delicious for about 3 to 4 days when stored properly in an airtight container. After that, the texture might start to degrade, so it’s best enjoyed within that window.
Can I make this cranberry jello salad recipe vegan or vegetarian?

Traditional gelatin isn’t vegan, but you can substitute it with a plant-based agar-agar powder. However, agar sets differently, so you’ll need to adjust the preparation method. Also, check canned ingredients for any animal-derived additives.
What’s the best way to get the zest from citrus fruits?

I recommend using a microplane zest grater—it’s fine and easy to control, giving you bright, flavorful zest without the bitter pith.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe has certainly earned a special place in my kitchen and my family’s hearts. It reminds me of cozy holiday dinners and cheerful gatherings, bringing a little sparkle to every occasion. I hope you give it a try, and when you do, I bet it’ll become a recipe you reach for time and again, just like I do. Happy cooking—and enjoy every jiggly, fruity bite!

Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 146 reviews

Author: Lisa
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and festive Cranberry Jello Salad that combines the tartness of cranberry gelatin and cranberry sauce with sweet crushed pineapple and zesty citrus flavors. This chilled dessert salad is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a light, fruity side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Gelatin Mixture

2 (3-ounce) packages cranberry flavored gelatin
1 ½ cups boiling water

Salad Mix-ins

1 (14-ounce) can cranberry sauce, whole berry
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, not drained
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 tablespoon lemon zest

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Instructions

Dissolve gelatin: In a large bowl, combine 2 (3-ounce) packages cranberry flavored gelatin with 1 ½ cups boiling water. Stir thoroughly until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Add fruit and zest: Stir in 1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce, 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice, 2 tablespoons of freshly grated orange zest, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Mix well to evenly combine all ingredients.
Chill the salad: Pour the gelatin mixture into a large serving bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until the salad is fully set and firm.

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh orange and lemon zest.
This salad can be made a day in advance to allow flavors to meld.
To add texture, consider folding in chopped nuts or shredded coconut before chilling.
Ensure the pineapple is not drained to maintain the proper moisture and consistency.
Serve chilled as a dessert or a side dish for holiday meals.